Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-01-19
Ject is one upon which the policy should be de.
termined by the Legislature.


1ect Is one upon which the policy SnOulQ De de-
termined by the Legislature.
RAILROADS.
1t Is interesting to note the progress of the rail-
roads in the state of Wisconsin. AT the close. of
the year 1850 there were 10 miles of completed
road-from Milwaukee to Elm Grove. At the
close of the year 1860 there but 875 miles of
railroad within our limits. During the time OF
the wal Of the rebellion, and the business depreI-
sion Immediately following, there but lit
tie of railway building done. In 1861 q
miles; In 1862, So miles, in 1868, none: in 1864 IA
miles; and during the years 1855, 1866 and 1o67
not mile of track was laid in the state. After
the war was over, and the business of the country
had recovered from the consequent continued
depression and stagnattOn, railroad bulldog and
railroad development began forward march,
and have kept even and steady pace with the
other great industries of the state.
To-day the total number of miles of railroad in
the state Is 4,77S92 constructed at cost of $l84
913 500. OF. The average cost per mile was StO-
259 3D. which includes equipments, buildings
and depot grounds. For the year ending June
30, 1856, the earnings of the roads were $40 972,
Passengers, $l4, 575, 6n9 So from freight and ST.
465 1878 from mails and express The
labor to. produce these earnings has re-
qu1red the services OF from 16, 900 to $4,000
men, at an average yearly compensation of
$500 each. The operating expensesEfor the period
mentioned were S12.311,l716i The number of
tons of freight carried was 6,9l3 49, at average
cost per ton per mile of l.31 cents. The number
OF passengers carried was 5,303, 287 at average
cost of27 cents per mile.
number of new lines are in process of con-
structon and several are contemplated, which
promise to make The coming year one of great
activity in this enterprise.
The railroad interest is one of vast i'm portance
to all other industries of the state. Legislation
affecting railroads should be enacted with q
spirit of fairness and with due regard to the
transaction OF other business Nothing should
be done that would cripple vital factor in the
states Development; and, at the same time, care
should be taken and frmness maintained, that an
interest so large does not overreach its legitimate
bounds, and interfere with the proper progress Of
other interests OF the state. Nothing should be
iTafrN
out ample reasons therefor, and just or reason
able restraint should be withheld.
ELECTRIC LIGHT.
In compliance with an act of the last Legisla-
ture, l have considered the ACCESSIBILITY of using
electric light in the Capitol building and grounds
Bids were received from the different electrical
lighting companies, and from the local gas COM
pany 1t was found that the expense of putting
in the plant and fixtures for electrical light
ing would be about 1926, 0U0; and that
the additional expense for maintaining and op-
Grating the same would be more than the cost Of
lighting with gas, as offered by the local COM
pany. 1t was, therefore, deemed best to accept
the proposition of the gas com pany, and con-
tract was made with them for two years, at $1.75
per 1000 feet, the state to consume 20000OU feet
per year. This contract is rs cents per 1000 feet
less than before
WAR RECORDS
The work of compiling and publishing the
war records, In accordance with an act of the
last Legislature, has been pushed as rapadily as
the circumstances and difficulties OF the work
would permit The expense of the undertaking
the Importance of the work has required
great thoroughness and accuracy and the
scattered and disordered condition of the
records was found to be much greater than had
been expected. The discoveries have shown the
great need and importance of the work and have
justified the outlay that he's been made The
first volume of the publication was received
from the press about the first of December and
it will be some time yet before the records of the
adJutant-generafs office are completed
/ would call the attention of the Legislature to
the fact that many of the states, to commemorate
the heoric deeds of their troops at the battle OF
mark the positions of the states soldiers in that
great battle The state of Wisconsin had six regi-
ments engaged in that hard fought battle, and
any tribute the state may make TO the acts ana
deeds of these gallant soldiers has been Justly and
heroically deserved.
The strength OF the Wisconsin National Guard,
on the LIST day of January. 1887, was 1884. The
last Legislature increased the com -ensation of
officers and men while in camp of instruction,
and appropriated $1,000 per annum for
overcoats and blankets. This amount
was expended under direction of the
qusrtermaster- general. One company OF infantry
and one battery Of artillery were organized by
authority OF the Legislature, making in all thirty
There was expended for the maintenance Of the
National Guard for 1885, S67,7S90S and for 1886,
s5i,624.75. This last amount includes the ex-
penses Of the militia while in active service in
Milwaukee during the riots.
The annual inspections of the companies and
camps shows highly creditable advance In all
that makes an effective citizen soldiery. The
practical test of that efficiency made in May last
has demonstrated that the stale troops can be as
sembled in any emergency as rapidly as trans
pOrtation can be procured for them and that
when assembled, they are loyal, subordinate,
and under admirable instruction and discipline
CONCLUSION.
You will be called upon to amend and perfect
the laws in many respects, and / assure you of
my hearty corporation. The young and 1nno-
cent should have the especial protection of just
and wholesome laws. Temptations. so tar as
possible. should De removed and wherein the
laws are defective they should be changed
or amended so to make certain those
punishments that are deserved. The wants Of
the people are diversified and numerous, and
have alluded to suoh subjects only as seem par
ticulariy fitting and proper for me. In all your
efforts to ado to the Happiness and material pres
perity and welfare Of the people you will have
my willing assistance; and, trusting in the wis
dom of gracious Providence, have no doubt
as to The result. JEREMIAH M. RUsK.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, MADISON, Wis, January,
1897